Leeva plumbing is a long established plumber in Ripley, Belper and Alfreton. Established 25 years ago, we are always here to help and want you to assist as much as possible, so we've put together our top 10 plumbing hints and tips.
1. Make Sure You Look Under Your Sink
You should regularly move all the cleaning products from under your sink and take a good look underneath. When the things under your sink are in the way it may prevent you from seeing any leaks that may be there. Once you've removed everything, wipe all the pipework down with a clean, dry cloth and see if it becomes wet. If it does, you have a leak coming from somewhere in the pipes under your sink.
2. A Leaking Water Heater is a Dead Water Heater
If you have a leak on your water heater, it's likely because the lining of the water heater has worn away and water is escaping from the base of the heater. If there's a lot of water escaping then it's worth calling the manufacturer as it may still be under warranty. In the event that you do have to replace your water heater, get the installers to put a pan at the base in case of any future problems.
3. Wrap Up Your Pipes
You should always wrap or lag your pipes to prevent them from freezing in cold weather. Also remember to wrap any pipes that protrude outside so that they don't freeze and cause problems inside the house.
4. Make Sure Your Radiators Are Bled Regularly & Always On A Level
Radiators should be set level and not at an angle. If they aren't straight, the whole radiator won't fill up properly and you'll lose the amount of heat. Also, when it condenses, it will drain back to the boiler properly. You should also ensure that you bleed your radiators regularly. When they aren't bled they fill with air meaning you get less heat and your heating system has to work much harder to heat your house and therefore making it much less economical.
5. Limescale Build Up
When you live in a hard water area limescale builds up on taps and shower heads. If you regularly clean them with a limescale remover you can prevent the problem from becoming too bad. Alternatively. you can use vinegar to clean taps and shower heads. But what about other things in your home? Your dishwasher, washing machine, pipes, boiler and heating system? There are specialist products you can use for dishwashers and washing machines and special additives available for your heating system. You could also consider having your heating system periodically powerflushed. Another, more expensive option, is to have a water softener fitted.
6. Issues With Shower Heads
If your shower head leaks where it meets the arm you probably need to replace the washer.
Weak or erratic pressure usually indicates mineral or limescale build up. Clean out the holes with a pin or remove the head and soak overnight in vinegar.
7. Replace Washers & Gaskets
Replacing washers and gaskets before they fail completely is a good maintenance job to get done. Have some washers and gaskets spare for if you have an emergency, but check them regularly and replace ones that are showing signs of wear. It's much cheaper in the long run as you won't have to replace the whole fixture.
8. The Emergency Flush
OK, it's perhaps not a total emergency if your toilet doesn't flush, but it's certainly unpleasant. If your toilet flush does break, then pouring a bucket of water into the pan will do a reasonable job of acting as a flush until it can be fixed.
9. Taps Just Aren't Forever
Taps, unfortunately, don't last forever. They are mechanical and suffer from wear and tear over time, so eventually, they are going to leak. Obviously, taps can be repaired if they leak, but if you have older or more expensive taps then you may find that parts are no longer available for them and it's just going to be easier and cheaper to install new taps.
10. Have A Plumber On Hand
Our last, but top, tip is to always have a trusted plumber's number available in case you have a plumbing emergency or if you just can't fix the problem yourself. At Leeva Plumbing and Heating we're always on hand to help and we're one of Amber Valley's top rated businesses on Checkatrade, so you know you can trust us to do the job right. If you're in Ripley, Belper, Alfreton or surrounding areas of Derbyshire and need a plumber, call us on (01773) 749 713
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